What to do after a predator attack

[Mother of Chaos]

It is, in fact, hardware cloth.

You mentioned that you could see where the HWC had been stretched or loosened. Was it where it had been attached to the wooden frame?

I would second the recommendation above to augment any staples with screws and fender washers, and possibly even then, cover the join with another piece of wood, so that predators can’t work at the bare edge of the wire.

I’m so sorry that you’re going through this.

 

[ArtJuice]

We put wood on top of the hardware cloth now, and are trying to board up entryways. It likes to dig, dig, DIG. That's what it's trying to do in order to get to my chickens (according to my introduction post, the two left are Speckles and probably Dixi. Angel stays inside of our house so she isn't affected by any of this.)

 

[ArtJuice]

You mentioned that you could see where the HWC had been stretched or loosened. Was it where it had been attached to the wooden frame?

Yes, I'm unable to send images but it tugged and tore at the cloth, breaking some of it.

 

[rosemarythyme]

It likes to dig, dig, DIG. That's what it's trying to do in order to get to my chickens

If you don't already have one, definitely install a wire mesh apron around the entire perimeter of the run, I'd go 24" out in your case. Tack it down with landscape staples. Good example of an installation here once again: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/new-coop-project.1169916/page-2#post-18481208

 

[McChooky]

We put wood on top of the hardware cloth now, and are trying to board up entryways. It likes to dig, dig, DIG. That's what it's trying to do in order to get to my chickens (according to my introduction post, the two left are Speckles and probably Dixi. Angel stays inside of our house so she isn't affected by any of this.)

FOX

 

[McChooky]

FOX

Edit: Foxes are smart. They watch our chickens and study our sleep and work habits before they attack to avoid detection and protect their young. They pick the safest places to train their young

 

[ArtJuice]

Foxes watch us a while before they attack our chickens so they can choose the safest time to kill our chickens .They'll watch us day and night to see when we sleep and when we're around the chickens. They don't want to see their kits hurt.They only teach them to hunt where they've successfully killed prey thats safe

Yeah, they always do it when we aren't there. Like, ANY TIME we aren't there. Like, right at nightfall and then late at night is when they seem to mess with the coop. I've made sure to predator proof it every time I'm out there this last week.

 

[McChooky]

Maybe a friend will loan you a dog? It won't stop coming until it gets your last chicken

 

[Tim79]

Yeah, they always do it when we aren't there. Like, ANY TIME we aren't there. Like, right at nightfall and then late at night is when they seem to mess with the coop. I've made sure to predator proof it every time I'm out there this last week.

You can try moving things around if possible , like you say they watch and pattern our behavior for days sometimes before they move and if they can’t get you patterned that will help . invest in a live trap set with a piece of fried chicken.

 

[WhatsUpDuck]

Sorry if this is a dumb question, but do you have a dog? I was thinking maybe at night if a dog was going around your property they would be less likely to attack?


LORD JESUS IS KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS!